What type of plywood for flooring?

[imtawd77]

Hi, Im redoing the floor in my 16' aluminum Vhull. Ive decided to do plywood, coated in fiberglass resin. My question is... What type of plywood to buy? They have treated, which is a greenish color but I was told that was treated for bugs, not water. Or there is regular untreated plywood. I have also been told that the fiberglass resin wont work good on treated wood. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks

 

[Realgun]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

As far as I know the treated stuff will absorb some epoxy. The trick is to let it air dry or make sure it was kiln dried after they treated it. You can use exterior plywood also. Thats what I did. Marine would be nice but not necessary for the floor.

 

[imtawd77]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

they dont sell marine plywood in my town... What is Exterior Plywood? I thought that was the green treated plywood?

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

Exterior plywood has waterproof glue laminating the plies together as opposed to interior plywood that is is not waterproof. Pressure treated wood (green) is treated with a chemical to resist rot when used in the ground such as fence posts and plywood house foundations. Marine plywood doesn't have knot holes in the plies and has more plies per thickness. Know the differences between resins. There's polyester and epoxy. Epoxy is the #1 choice when applying to wood.

 

[imtawd77]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

I have to get the wood, and resin at Lowes. So, I ask for Exterior non treated plywood, and Fiberglass epoxy resin? I want to make sure im getting the right stuff. Also, how much is this resin per gallon? Thanks

 

[Dmac58]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

The last gallon I bought was about $25.00.

 

[olmpilot]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

I've been pricing ply for my project and found I can get it locally for $56.12 a sheet (4x8) for AB Marine grade. Does that sound like a reasonable price? I want to use marine grade if possible from what I have been reading. It's not terribly more expensive than the hardwood exterior ply at the local hardware stores.

 

[imtawd77]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

How many gallons should it take to do a floor in a 16' aluminum deep Vhull? There are no "bunks" going from side to side like most of these little boats, so the floor is basically a flat straight shot. Thanks

 

[Dryrot]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

Why do u want to put any type of resin on floor boards? Why not buy pressure treated plywood and cover it with marine carpeting. It will last your lifetime. I am a wooden boat builder and know that resin on wood floor boards will eventually rot. Marine ply as well as exterior and interior is all made with spruce lumber and different glues. Spruce, meranti or gaboon....the common marine plys are not very rot resistant but accept resins well. Pressure treated lumber does not hold resin well...even well dried. The same effect is if u try to resin over stained wood....it will eventualy peel off. Resin on ply floorboards will flex with weight and hairline cracks will appear that allow water penetration and rot.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

1988 Lowe 16' put in 1/2" EXT. AB sanded edges SMOOTH. 2 coats of EXTERIOR oil based white. Outdoor carpet, plush cut, nickel staples still no rot. Left uncovered every summer, with a bilge pump. Still perfect. LET IT DRY OUT FAST is the secret.

 

[BillP]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

Originally posted by Dryrot:<br /> Pressure treated lumber does not hold resin well...even well dried. The same effect is if u try to resin over stained wood....it will eventualy peel off.

That's a bit outdated and relates to older PT processes using petroleum. The APA http://www.apawood.org/ did testing and it showed the newer CCA PT process holds resin same as non treated ply...but it must be dry. It's been successfully used in boats for the last 15+ yrs. Greenwood Products mfgs marine PT ply...many boat mfgs use their brand.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

If you are reflooring an aluminum boat, I feel pressure treated ply, no resin at all, and carpet will do the trick. It will last a long, long time, and be fairly inexpensive. If it eventually rots in 20 years, replace it again. That is why I am envious, and want, an aluminum hull. You just don't have to mess with all the resins and encapsulation junk that you do with a glass boat.

 

[BillP]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

I'd do what Jason sez. About 5 yrs ago we replaced the transom on my uncles 1960s 15' alum Starcraft with regular HomeDepo PT ply. Bolted 2 layers of 3/4" the same as old. Even cheap ply quality is way overkill for 50hp on this one. <br /><br />My alum pontoon boat has PT ply flooring set on aluminum frames. It has caulking between to keep moisture out. Top has carpet glued down. No problems since new in 1996.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

I remember reading a post here about someone having problems with on an RIB (I think) with galvanic corrosion an aluminium floor from a peice of CCA ply. Seems to be a rare problem though - maybe it only becomes important in a direct-contact and bathed in salt water environment like a utility craft floor/bottom.<br />I can't seem to find the post though...

 

[gewf631]

Re: What type of plywood for flooring?

Ditto what Richard Peterson, Jason, and BillP, all say. Did an 18' mid-70's Starcraft, and the only reason I had to replace the original floor (plain 'ol plywood, painted), was 'cause someone dropped a scuba cylinder and broke through - the rest of the 25-year old floor was fine.<br /><br />Just let it dry for a few weeks first!